Skillet - Awake

Review

Skillet are one of those bands who seem to have been around for decades. In fact, Awake sees them nearing double figures in terms of full-length releases. In days of yore, the band were often characterised by their almost chameleon-like tendency to morph from one style of modern rock to the next from album to album (see the change from "Hey You, I Love Your Soul" to "Alien Youth" as a prime example).In more recent years, since the mainstream came a'callin, John Cooper and co have stayed on somewhat safer ground. "Collide" from 2004 and "Comatose", which followed two years...Read MoreSkillet are one of those bands who seem to have been around for decades. In fact, Awake sees them nearing double figures in terms of full-length releases. In days of yore, the band were often characterised by their almost chameleon-like tendency to morph from one style of modern rock to the next from album to album (see the change from "Hey You, I Love Your Soul" to "Alien Youth" as a prime example).In more recent years, since the mainstream came a'callin, John Cooper and co have stayed on somewhat safer ground. "Collide" from 2004 and "Comatose", which followed two years later, followed something of a symphonic rock template, as Cooper's gritty rock rasp caterwauled over a palate of hard riffs and searing synths. "Awake", the band's 2009 effort, promised to be a step on from the success of career-high "Comatose" and establish Skillet in American radio-rock's big leagues.

It probably will, but sadly for the wrong reasons. "Awake" is a competent release, but it merely consolidates the strengths of its predecessors, rather than building on them. Openers "Hero" and "Monster" are solid radio staples. "Awake and Alive" takes the male-fronted Evanescence thing to its logical conclusion (please, go no further down that road), while "One Day Too Late" is the lighter-waving power ballad that is a pre-requisite for an album such as this.

Trouble is, these strongest songs on the album bear no characteristics which enable them to stand out from the legions of similar bands who over-populate the rock world at this point. "It's Not Me It's You" is a corker of a song, but what does it mean? Not wanting to be one of those annoying Christians who expects Christian musicians to stand out, but, well, with a band as talented as Skillet, I do! Sure, Skillet chops, both in terms of skill and songwriting nous, but they are treading water here and in danger of a creative stagnation.

Articles

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Skillet's latest album 'Awake' has been certified gold by the RIAA for sales in excess of 500,000 since it's release last August. Produced by Howard Benson (Three Days Grace, Daughtry, Flyleaf), 'Awake' reached the number 1 spot…